Bond set at $500,000 for man arrested after allegedly stabbing co-worker 5 times at well site near Greeley

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A 20-year-old man on Thursday was treated for serious injuries after he was stabbed five times in the face and neck following an early morning altercation at an oil and gas well site northeast of Greeley, authorities said.

Weld County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a well site near 22625 Weld County Road 64 in unincorporated parts of the county early Thursday morning on a report of a man who had been stabbed several times and was bleeding badly from his face, according to an arrest affidavit.

When police arrived, they found Uriah James Anthony Lopez, 20, bleeding, the affidavit states. He told authorities he had been sleeping and woke up to David Baldizan, 34, stabbing him.

Baldizan had been dating one of Lopez’s family members, the victim told police. The relationship had recently ended, but Lopez said he hadn’t been having any problems with Baldizan during their shift as employees at High Sierra Water.

Lopez was immediately transported by ambulance to North Colorado Medical Center. A doctor determined the man had a total of five stab wounds of varying depths from 6 millimeters to the left cheek to a 35-millimeter wound to the back of his neck just left of his spine. He also sustained wounds to his left cheek and near his left ear.

A co-worker who called 911 told deputies that Baldizan was his cousin, the affidavit states. They took a break from work and went into the office. A short time later, the caller said he heard what sounded like someone getting hit outside. He looked out the window and saw Baldizan standing near the victim, who was hunched over a bench.

Baldizan walked toward some trucks on-site as police arrived, the witness said. As authorities investigated the scene, a man later identified as the suspect stepped into the crime scene where a hard hat rested in snow that was tinged with what appeared to be blood.

Authorities detained him for further questioning and later identified what appeared to be dried blood under his finger nails and on his clothing, according to the affidavit. As authorities continued processing the scene, they found an open hatch to a sludge pit in the direction Baldizan had reportedly been walking. Authorities were never able to locate the weapon.

Baldizan has a lengthy criminal history in Colorado, including multiple convictions of theft, burglary and domestic violence, records show. Cases date back to 1995, and he has served multiple sentences in the Department of Corrections, the Weld County District Attorney’s Office said during a video court appearance Thursday.

He remains in custody at the Weld County Jail on a $500,000 bond after he was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder and first degree assault. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 3.